EARLY ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SERVICES A ‘STEP’ IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Up to 255 people at risk of or experiencing homelessness will be rapidly housed for up to three years and provided with vital access to health, education and employment services under an innovative new Government program. Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward said the Supported Transition and Engagement Program will support people in both the inner city and regions.

“Homelessness is a very complex social issue and putting a roof over someone’s head is only one part of the solution,” Ms Goward said. “We know that acting early and providing access to the right support can assist people into long-term accommodation and break the cycle of homelessness.

“STEP will go a long way to providing the right wraparound supports for people to address the underlying issues that first lead to their homelessness.”

The NSW Government will invest more than $20 million in STEP over four years for:

· 90 transitional housing and support packages in inner Sydney, and
· 30 transitional housing and support packages in regional NSW to assist people wishing to relocate to a regional area.

Neami National and Bridge Housing, in partnership with Women’s Housing Company and Metro Community Housing, will deliver the program. The Government will also provide $1.7 million for additional post-crisis support to rough sleepers assisted into public housing by the Homelessness Outreach Support Team.